Thailand cave rescue to be turned into Hollywood movie

The Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in Thailand - where 12 boys and their soccercoach were trapped for 18 days - will become a "living museum" to showcase the harrowing ordeal that unfolded in recent weeks as the world watched.

Two of the 13 frontline foreign expert divers, British pair Richard Stanton and John Volanthen, were the first to locate the team on a shelf several kilometres inside Tham Luang nine days after they went in.

Mr Volanthen also paid tribute to Thai navy rescue diver Saman Kunan, who died in the cave while replenishing oxygen canisters, saying his death brought a "bittersweet" taste to an otherwise "excellent" operation.

Having completed this section, the boys were then handed over to separate, specialist rescue teams, who helped them through the remainder of the cave, much of which they could wade through.

"If there is strong political will from high-ranking state officers, the process could hasten, and the boys would be able to get Thai nationality in short period of time", she said.

Around five minutes into this video, the boy shown on screen has his eyes closed but appears conscious, bringing his right hand to his torso as people gather around him.

The group ventured into the vast cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai after soccer practice on June 23 and were trapped when a rainy season downpour flooded tunnels.

According to CNN, Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, a Thai health department inspector, has said the boys were in fairly good condition given the circumstances and that their coach had looked after them well. "The Navy Seals told us where we would be and what to expect", he said.

They were given anti-anxiety medication to keep them calm. "I want to see the face of my child and embrace him and ask him how he feels and how he's doing". The third and final group, including the soccer team's 25-year-old coach, who were all evacuated Tuesday, are taking antibiotics and at least some had lung infections. He's got a very bouncy Australian accent and they [the rescued boys] seemed to find that quite relaxing and reassuring.

Wet and cold, some of the boys fell asleep as they were hauled along to the exit, but there were more than 100 people stationed along this section, including nurses who checked their temperature, blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels.

This was evident in some footage released by the Thai Navy SEALs where the Thai divers could be seen using pulleys, ropes and rubber piping to haul stretchers holding two of the immobile young footballers to safety.

"It was dark so we all had head lamps, and there was one spotlight".

The Canadian, speaking to Reuters a day after the rescue ended, said he had no plans to dive again anytime soon.

Schnauer said he played "a small role" in the rescue efforts but the success of the operation showed what teamwork can achieve.